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   jilllessa Teacher
   High School - 10th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   The central character of The Elephant Man is John Merrick.  He suffers from a condition called Proteus Syndrome and he is hideous to behold with large growths growing out of his head.  John is intelligent and sensitive which is demonstrated in his ability to appreciate and discuss Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet.  Despite his deformity, Merrick has compassion, understanding, and depth.

   The other major character in the play is Dr. Treves who finds Merrick and gives him a home in the hospital in return for the chance to study him.  Treves is a fairly shallow character who congratulates himself on doing good by helping Merrick.  He cares for Merrick but does not understand Merrick's depth of character.  Knowing Merrick changes Treves in ways that he does not quite understand as he comes to appreciate the fullness of Merrick's character despite his limitations.  Treves has no such physical limitations but he has limitations in his mind, which he sees in his dream in scene 18.  Treves greatly mourns Merrick's death.

    

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   Posted by jilllessa on Thursday August 7, 2008 at 3:46 PM